Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro

Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro - ink drop

Takeda Jimuki produces several lines of ink for their Kyoto-based TAG stationery stores. The Kyo-iro line includes inks based on the colors (iro) of Kyoto (kyo). The Kyo No Oto line includes colors based on traditional Japanese dyes. There’s also the Fumisome line which uses natural, often plant-based dyes. Today’s ink is Kyo No Oto Yamabuki-iro or Marigold from the Kyo No Oto line, and it truly is indeed a lovely mustard, marigold yellow. It’s one of my favorites in this color range.

Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro - ink color range

This is a dusty, powdery yellow that shades darker to reveal a golden-brown influence. It’s a very nice shading ink, and a great writing ink. It produces a rich, umber halo that gives strokes a knife-edge clarity and makes this a very easy-to-read ink.

Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro - ink swatch card

There was no feathering or bleed on either Rhodia or the other premium papers that I use for testing, and only a slight feathering on cheap office copy paper. Drying time was slightly longer than average, but with so many other great characteristics, I can forgive almost anything with this ink. Simply put, it’s an exceptionally nice writing ink!

Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro - ink swatch comparisons

While this may not be a color range that is a standard for many users, it’s one that more should try. Personally, I love dark, mustard yellows, and immediately bought a bottle. If you’re looking for a nice deep yellow writing ink, Kyo No Oto Yamabuki-iro is a great choice!

Kyo No Oto - Yamabuki-iro - Shimmer!

September 2020